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MAIL-BAG PASTBNING. No. 297,155. Patented Apr. 22, 1884.

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MAIL-BAG FASTNING.

PECIFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,155, date `l April 22, 1884.

Application filed January 30, 1884. (No model.)

.To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ENOOII Oscoon, a citizen of the United States, residing in 'Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fastenings for the Months of Mail-Bags, and for other Purposes, one part of which is a cord-clasp; the other parts are hooks, with eyes to hold the bag together laterally, which are hereinafter 1o fully and clearly described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the top, one side, and the oval head of the clasp, closed down on the cords G C, that pass through it. Fig. 2 shows detail construction of Fig. l, A and B. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, showing the clasp loosened, with the cord C on a straight line, holding up the slide B. Fig. 4C is alougitudinal section, showing the clasp closed, the slide B depressing the cord C sufficient to let the catches b and c slip over each other to give the grip as the slide B moves forwardavith the cord C toward the head. Fig is a view of the under side of the clasp closed, showing the relation of the catches b and c when locked over each other. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section, showing the clasp closed, with the cords C C running through either edge of the clasp instead ofthe side. Fig. 7 is a section on line f1/y of Fig. 6, showing the cords C C, and the slide G, that passes two-thirds around the body F, to give the grip on the cord C as it slides toward the head of the clasp. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through the mouth of the bag closed, showing the cords G C through the hook and eye of the hook D, that holds the bag-mouth together laterally, also to hold the cord or link of the tag E around the short shank of one hook to serve as a tag-holder. (See letters D and C C.)

In order to make the clasp, which is composed of two partsntlie body A and its slide B-I make the body A with an oval head, with two holes through it at c. a, atV either side of the body A. Near the head is a catch, b, made to hold the slide B down on the cord C, which slide B has asimilar catch, c, on the inside, to slip over the catch Z), as shown at Fig. 4. The body A has two parallel grooves lits whole length between the catches 'holes on the other side, leaving the eye on b b. From the lower end ofthe catches b I) the grooves are inclined to the head, leaving a space under the cord C when straight, as shown at Fig. 3. Therefore, when the slide B is pressed down over the catches b b, the 5 pulling of the cord through the head will draw the slide B with it, as the catches b I) and c c are O11 a straight line with the main part of the grooves. The holes grow smaller as the slide B moves toward the head. The grooves in the large end of the slide B should be made sufficiently rough to prevent slipping when pressed d own on the cords C C, as shown at Fig. 2, letter c. To connect the slide B to the body A, completing the clasp, I insert a pin, p, through the body and through the sides of the slide B. Other means may be used. The straight part of the grooves should be made smooth, the same as the grooves the whole length of the body A.

The longitudinal section through the mouth of the bag represents the hook D with eyes, as shown at Fig. 8, representing the other y part of the fastening, that holds the Inouth ol the bag together laterally much irmer, and in conformity to the body, which hooks are made with short shanks that will easily pass through both parts of the bag, with the hook and eye the size of and to fit the cords O C to pass through it. (See Fig. S, letters l) and C C.) I then make small holes through each side ot" the mouth Ot' the bag, for as many hooks as desired to be used-say three hooks, more or less, to each bag. I then reeve the cord C through the holes made for it on one side of the bag. I then put' the shanks of as many hooks as desired through the small the outside of the bag. I then reeve the cord C through the holes made for it on the other side, putting it through the eye of each hook, as I come to it, on the outside of the bag, until I get around the bag to the other end of the cord C. I then put the ends of the cords C G through the clasp and fasten them 9 5 together, and it is ready for use. rlhe hooks holding the bag together laterally, clasp the cords C C firmly when drawn up taut. In

closing the mouth of the bag together lat- Y l 4 erally, after the bag is full, before the cord G roe Vsire to claim isthe whole length of the body A, and having is drawn up, I put each hook through the sides of the bag and hook them over the cord C on the opposite outside to the eye. Before, however, one hook is hooked onto the cord, I slip the cord or link attached to the tag E over its shank, then hook it onto the cord, draw the cord G taut, 'shove the head of the clasp hard against the bag, press the slide down past the catches b b, let go the oord, and the bag is firmly closed until released again by pressing against the head, pulling the loose ends of the cords C C back, bringing the slide B with it past the catches b Z1, and the mouth of the bag is free again.

Having described iny invention, what l del. A clasp made in two parts-the body A and its slide B-with longitudinal grooves cut ahead with two holes through it for the cords C C to pass, a short flange or catch, b, on either side of the grooves running to the head, the I grooves extending from the lower ends of the catches b b to the head, cut inclined, as shown, under the cord C at b, for the purposes substantially as herein set forth.

2. The slide B, made with two grooves cut in its entire length, to correspond with and to lit the inclined grooves in the body A, the receding part ofthe grooves in the large end of 3o outside, and to hold it, together with the clasp A and'l, substantially as herein set forth.

ENOCH OSGOOD.

llitnesses WV. SCOTT Townns, A. T. HENsEY. 

